Description
These Cajun Baked Salmon Bites are a quick and flavorful appetizer or main dish featuring tender, juicy salmon cubes seasoned with a savory blend of Cajun spices and baked to perfection. Perfect for a healthy and delicious meal, they pack a punch of smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets, skinless, cut into 2.5cm / 1″ cubes (~600 – 700g / 1.2 – 1.4lb total)
Seasoning
- 2 tsp paprika (regular/sweet; smoked paprika also lovely)
- 3/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve the amount if using table salt, increase by 50% for flakes)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder (do not substitute with fresh garlic as it will burn)
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for slight spiciness)
- 2 1/2 tsp brown sugar (tightly packed teaspoons)
Oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to prepare for baking the salmon bites evenly and to a perfect crispness.
- Prepare the seasoning mixture: In a bowl, combine paprika, cooking salt, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly to distribute all spices evenly.
- Season and coat the salmon: Toss the cubed salmon fillets with olive oil, ensuring they are well coated. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the salmon pieces and gently toss them again to coat all sides evenly.
- Arrange for baking: Place the seasoned salmon cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased to prevent sticking.
- Bake the salmon bites: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, turning halfway if necessary to ensure even cooking.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately as a tasty appetizer or alongside your favorite side dishes for a quick and healthy meal.
Notes
- For smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
- Do not substitute garlic powder with fresh garlic as it can burn during baking and create bitterness.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the level of spiciness.
- Make sure to cut salmon into uniform cubes to ensure even cooking.
- Serve with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Salmon bites can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently before serving.
